Configurable and customizable software application system and metadata

Abstract

Systems and methods of generating and executing customized variants of a software application are provided. The customized variants include customization of user interfaces, data processing logic, and data models. Customization is accomplished by overlaying custom metadata on base metadata. The base metadata characterizes the software application and the custom metadata characterizes variants of the software application. The custom metadata and base metadata have an object-oriented relationship. Related variants are optionally applied as a set to assure compatibility between variants of the same software application.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]Embodiments of the invention generally relate to computer processing systems and software. More specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to configurable software systems.[0002]Generally, large scale software applications are developed to provide support for practices and processes needed for the operation of an organization. For example, a company often procures packaged “Ready to Use” software applications designed to help the company manage business needs such as payroll, manufacturing, scheduling, etc. Such packaged software applications are often procured from software companies who write, debug and compile the software application.[0003]To benefit from the economics of scale, consistent with the marketing practices in many industries, such software companies seek to develop generic software application packages that cover a broad range of software application needs. Due to variations in business practices and operations of different typ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention allows for customization of software applications through the use of custom metadata. This customization can include changes to data processing logic, data models, and user interface. The custom metadata can be overlaid on the base metadata, which includes base rules, base classes, and base pages, in real-time during execution of the software application. The customization can be responsive to a wide range of execution contexts. The invention also includes a system for selecting and developing custom metadata, as well as constraints to ensure logical and self-consistent customization. The technical effects of the invention include improved flexibility and customization capabilities for software applications.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, due to the virtually unlimited practices and operational variations between different types of industries, businesses, business units, business operations, and end-user needs, etc., the packaged software application generally does not perfectly match a particular company's, or even a particular industry's operational needs.

Unfortunately, the same software application that worked for the electronic equipment manufacturing part of the business may be partially or wholly incompatible with the overseas subsidiary.

Therefore, systems which merely allow customization of an end-user interface do not satisfy these needs.

Unfortunately, all three options require some level of company adaptation and are, therefore, generally costly to implement and time consuming.

When a company chooses to customize their software application, this customization may not be compatible with later upgrades to the original software.

The customization may also result in significant costs for merging different customizations or retraining end-users to use a newer version.

In addition, a customization requested by one department within a company may not be accepted or endorsed by other departments or end users who are affected by the customization.

For example, a department operating under one set of accounting rules may not support a customization needed by a department operating under another set of accounting rules.

Unfortunately, such conventional software tools are either limited to configuration of an end-user interface or require skilled computer programmers and / or highly trained personnel to implement changes to the software application.

Further, due to the complex nature and interrelationships between various software modules of the software application, customizing a software application often has a ripple effect.

For example, customizing one department's data processing rules may cause other software modules and processes to operate differently or may even provide faulty information to other users of the software application.

Generally, the solution to this type of problem has been for the company and / or the software developer to go through lengthy and expensive processes of testing the customizations and then releasing verified versions of the software application.

Unfortunately, the process of software change verification, unless carefully controlled, can lead to numerous business infrastructure issues and a loss of business productivity.

Therefore, many companies are reluctant to make changes to their software applications due to such ripple effect, especially once they believe that the software application is operating at an acceptable level.

Therefore, there is a need for improved methods and systems that allow for customization of a software application, including underlying data processing and data structures, in an uncomplicated and efficient manner.

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